Shon Chester

Shon's Story

Text size

Funeral service for Shon Wisdom Chester will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 at the Verdigris Assembly of God Church. Pastor Michael Abel will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of the MMS-Payne Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
Shon passed away on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017 at the age of 44.
The son of Johnny and Lois Kimbrell was born February 29, 1972 in Lubbock, Texas. In 1976 his family moved to Oklahoma. They lived in Tulsa and a couple of other places before settling in Claremore in 1979. Shon then entered Claremore Schools.
There he became active in many things over the years such as student council and sports, where he excelled on the football field. After graduating in 1991 Shon continued his education at the University of Central Oklahoma. Earning a bachelor's degree in science.
When Shon began his working career, he knew he wanted to help people, especially kids. He took a job working as a mentor to children at an adolescence center in Oklahoma City.
That followed by having one of the highest honors as a full time caregiver to the 4 Cody boys.
In 2002 a big change occurred in Shon's life. While home visiting his brother for Thanksgiving, he met Barbara and from then on they were inseparable. Then on October 17, 2003 Shon and Barbara where married, he not only married Barbara but was an instant father to their 4 children , Preston, Taylin, Creedon, and Riann .They made their home in Claremore and Shon's career switched gears.
He began working almost daily as an umpire for high school, college, and semi pro baseball. Umpiring was his passion, he always said you could teach a kid how to play the game right and how to be an outstanding man in life. Then he coached at Clinton Middle School, and for many years coached for Verdigris little league football.
He loved nothing more than teaching the game, but more importantly touching the lives of boys who would become men. He loved coaching most of all his son Creedon, their bond is like no other.
Eventually Shon gave up his coaching and umpiring, when his son started playing school ball, the thought of missing a game was not an option.
This gave him the opportunity to return to his true passion of wanting to help people. He took a job in healthcare administration at Forest Hills and Forest Hills Assisted living helping the elderly.
Shon was passionate about making the future of our kids better and he did this by serving on the Claremore school board, which he honored dearly. In his spare time, Shon enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his friends.
He was also an active member of the Verdigris Assembly of God Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Louis Kimbrell, and brother, Heath Chester.
His loving family that survives him include his wife Barbara; children, Preston Hassell and wife Courtney, Taylin Hassell, Creedon Hassell and Riann Hassell; brothers, George Chester and wife Emily, and Allie Chester; nieces and nephews, Victoria, Allie, Meagan, Jonny, James, Josh, Brandon, Justin, Tracy, and Madison , great nieces and nephews along with many, many friends.